Device and method for casing books

ABSTRACT

An uncased book, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,929 having end leaves fabricated with pressure sensitive adhesive and protected by release paper is attached to a case of the type having a spine pad also fabricated with pressure sensitive adhesive by the device. A table supports various adjustable members including locators which first gauge the thickness of the uncased book to indicate a case of proper spine width to be selected. The case is placed on the table and centered by use of side and top edge guides. The locators are adjusted so that the spine edge of the uncased book may be guided to contact the center of the spine pad. A guide rod positions the top edge of the uncased book a predetermined distance below the top edge of the case. The uncased book spine now permanently adheres to the case spine. The book covers are closed around the book and the end leaf release paper stripped away, permitting the end leaf adhesive to secure the end leaves to the insides of the covers.

Grosv vith, III

[ DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CASING BOOKS e Attorney, Agent, or FirmJulianCaplan [75] Inventors: Charles T. Groswith, III, Los Altos;

Danilo P. Buan, Pleasanton, both of [57] ABSTRACT C lif An uncased book,such as shown 1n U.S. Pat. i 3,596,929 having end leavesfabricated withpressure [73] Assignee: Vela-Bind, lnc., Sunnyval Callfsensitiveadhesive and protected by release paper is [22] Fil d; Ap 17, 1973attached to a case of the type having a spine pad also fabricated withpressure sensitive adhesive by the de- [211 Appl' 351,879 vice. A tablesupports various adjustable members including locators which first gaugethe thickness of the 52 U.S. Cl. 11/3 encased book to indicate a case ofp p spine width 51 Int. Cl 420 11/00 to be seleetede The ease is placedenthe table and [58] Field of Search 11/1 R, 3;.281/21, 29 centered byuse f Side and p edge guides: The

tors are adjusted so that the spine edge of the 'uncased- [5 ReferencesCit d book may be guided to contact, the center of the spine UNITEDSTATES PATENTS pad. A guide rod positions the top edge of the uncased. sI e 1 book a predetermined distance below the top edge of g ct the case.The uncased book spine now permanently 32/282751 4/1973 i W] R adheresto the case spine. The book covers are closed 317491423 7/1973 Abildgaard et al. est/21 R around the book and the end leaf release P pstripped away, permitting the end leaf adhesive to secure theend leavesto the insides of the covers.

3 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures 77 72 79 73 78 8/ 7/ 72 I 72 718/ 78 73 79'72 2 z V et al.

51 July 30', 1974 Primary Examiner- Lawrence Charles gummmmsmw 3.825.96d

SHEET 20$ 4 PAIENIEnJuumsm 3.825.964

sum anr 4 1 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CASING BOOKS This invention relates toand improved device and method for casing books. More particularly, theinvention relates to apparatus and method for positioning and locating acase (hard cover) for a book and an uncased book in such relationshipthat the parts may be assembled in permanent fashion employing pressuresensitive material onthe spine of the case which adheres to the spine ofthe uncased book and pressure sensitive material on end leaves of theuncased'book which adhere to the insides of the covers of the case.

A principal object and advantage of the invention is to reduce thenumber of operations required to bind an uncased book and to case thebook. The labor required is materially reduced and the use of existingbindery equipment is almost entirely eliminated while the deareordinarily spread out and must be .left in'spread condition while gluedries and while other portions are being completed and assembled. Hence,not only is the amount of labor and equipment greatly reduced bypractice of the present invention, buteven the floor space required in abindery is reduced because of the 2 I FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentaryplan view showing a step in the assembly of the uncased book to thecase.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a further step in theassembly of the parts.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 9-9 of FIG. 8 and showing a subsequent'step in the attachment ofthe uncased book to the case.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an additional step in the assemblyof the parts.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the book covers closed preparatoryto stripping of the release paper from'the end leaves.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the completion of the stripping ofthe release paper from the left side of the book.

FIG. 13 is a view showing removal of the release paper from'the rightside of the book.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view through the completed book showing theelements in enlarged scale.

In accordance with the present invention, device 61 is used to assembleuncased book 41 and case 46 as hereinafter appears. Assembly involves aseries of steps which are also hereinafter explained The uncased book 41may be of various types. A preferred type is shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,596,929. Such uncased book 41 isformed of a plurality of sheets 21formed with apertures 22 adjacent the spine margins thereof. The uncasedbook is held together by means of a first plastic strip 26 havingintegral projecting thermoplastic studs 27 spaced to fit through theholes 22 and a second plastic strip 29 formed with similarly spacedholes 31 preferably having external counterfact that it is not necessaryto spread out the book parts the amount of skilled labor required. Theoperator of the device. hereinafter described does not require extensivetraining in order to practice the invention.

A principal feature-of the invention is the provision and the uncasedbook relative to each other. Further, the device provides means forattachment of the uncased book to the spine of the case and the endleaves to the insides of the covers rapidly and conveniently.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1- is a top plan view of a devicein accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation from the right of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a guide used in the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is aschematic perspective view showing the device in use ingauging the thickness of an uncased book, the latter .being partlybroken away in section to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary end elcvational view of a portion of thestructure.

i of rapid and convenient means for-locating the cased bores in whichrivetheads 33 are formed on the severed. ends of studs 27 by passing ahot knife through said studs spaced beyond said second strip and thenmoving the hot knife toward the second strip to form rivet-likeheads onsaid studs. End leaves 23 are provided which fit on the top and bottomof the stack of sheets 21, the spine marginal edges of the end leaves 23being apertured and receiving the same studs 27 which securethe sheets21 to the strips 26, 29.

One of the features of the present application is the use of pressuresensitive adhesive 36 on at least a portion of each end leaf 23.Initially, such adhesive 36 is protected from contact with other objectsby release paper 37. Release paper 37, as conventionally manufactured,is ordinary Kraft paper which is coated with polyethylene on both sidesso that the paper does not absorb solvents or moisture and'thepolyethylene coating is stable. At least the side of the release paperto which the adhesive is applied is coated with a silicone material tofacilitate stripping.

Adhesive 36 is usually an acrylic, crossdinked acrylic, nitrile rubberor other polymer which is initially dissolved in a solvent ascommercially available. A coating between 4 and 6 mils thick is appliedto the'silicone coated surface of the release paper 37 and then thesolvent is driven off by drying in an oven so that the adhesive layer 36is about 1 mil or less in thickness. Such release paper 37 coated withadhesive 36 is then laminated to the end leaf 23 and rolled so that theadhesive 36 sticks to the end leaf 23. The fabrication of the end leaf23, adhesive 36 and release paper 37 is an adaptation of generalcommercial practice in the pressure sensitive adhesive art.

In a preferred form of the invention adhesive 36 is not applied over theentire area of release paper 37 or end leaf 23 but terminates at line 42located at about the locations of strips 26, 29 in the assembled uncasedbook. To facilitate stripping of the release paper 37, the latter isfolded over at about the location of line 42 and extends back in afolded over portion 38 which projects beyond the outer edge of the casedbook in an exposed portion 39 which functions as'a pull tab to strip therelease paper 37'from the pressure sensitive adhesive 36, as hereinafterappears.

Case 46 is likewise subject to variation, but a preferred form employscover material 47 of vinyl, leather or other suitable substance and tothe center of the case 46 extending vertically in the completed book isa resilient spine strip 48 which is pressure sensitive on both surfacesand is preferably originally covered by release paper (see FIG. 8) whichis stripped off at the commencement of the assembling operation.Immediately to the outside of the strip 48 is a hinge forming area 49which is the thinnest part of the case. Immediately outside of eachhinge forming area 49 are boards 51 of cardboard or similar material.The top and bottom margins of the cover material 47 are folded inward intop and bottom turnins 52 at the top and bottom edges of the book, onlypartially covering the boards 51. Similarly, on each outer edge an edgeturnin 53 of the material 47 is formed and the corners54 are preferablymitered, all as in accordance with conventional case manufacturingoperations. Thus',-front and back covers 56 and an intermediate centralspine cover 57 are provided. In the ultimate fabrication of the book,hinge creases 58 are formed immediately inward of covers 56 and beads 59formed immediately inward of the hinge creases v58.

In assembling the uncased book 41 to the case 46, the

spine edge of the uncased book 41 is caused to adhere to the pressuresensitive resilient bind strip 48. The top cover 46 (and the bottomcover as well) are unfinished in that the board 51 is shown partlycovered by the turned in top and bottom portions 52 and edge turnings53. The end leaves 23, by means of adhesive 36, adhere to the insides ofthe boards 51 and to the portions of the turned in portions 52, 52 and53 which are ultimately coveredyThe end leaf 23 thus permanently adheresto the covers 56.

Apparatus 61 comprises a plurality of parts which are mounted on a flattable 62 which is preferably rectangularand is large enough toaccommodate the largest case 46 to be handled. To protect the underlyingsurface, a padding 63 of resilient and preferably skid-proof material isfurnished. As is shown in FIG. 1, along the right-hand edge of the table62 are related pairs of holes 64 which are used to locate the case 46 ashereinafter appears. The right-hand holes 64 are used with larger sizecases. Spaced inwardly of holes 64 are left holes 66. In general, theholes 64 may be used with wider books such as books printed on paper 8-/inches in width, whereas the holes 66 may be used to locate cases usedwith smaller sheets such as are used in stan dard textbooks. Associated.with the pairs of holes 64,

- indicia 93 marked on table 62. As hereinafterappears,

66 are indicia 67 which are used to locate in proper position side edgeguide 68 shown in perspective in FIG.

4 and consisting of a piece of generally T-shaped plastic bar with onearm of the T being shorter than the other.

Guide 68 has integrally molded depending pins 69' which fit into pairsof holes 64 or 66. The bar is oriwidth).

Along either side of the back edge of table 62 is a bracket 71, eachbracket having upstanding apertured lugs 72. Threaded rod 73 fitsthrough the 'ap'erturesinlugs 72. Preferably, the opposite ends ofrod 73are oppositely threaded. On one end is a knob 76 and on the opposite enda cap 77. Knob 76 is used to rotate the rod 73. Mounted above andbetween lugs 72 on either side are brackets 78 which themselves haveupstanding threaded apertured outer lugs 79 in threaded engagement'withrod 73 and apertured but unthreaded inner lugs 81. Thus as the knob 76is turned, the brackets 78 move inwardly or outwardly relative to thecenter of table 62 in equal amounts but in opposite directions. Eachbracket 78 has a forward extension 82 which extends forwardly andinwardly. Extension 82 has upstanding apertured lugs 83 which receiveguide rod 84 which is parallel to rod 73. Rod 84 is fixed to therightmost lug 83 as viewed in FIG. 1 as by welding, but slides in theapertures in the left side lugs 83 so that rod 84 does not inhibitinward and outward movement of the brackets 78 but merely maintains themin parallel.

'Fixed for movement with each of the brackets 78 as they move inwardlyand outwardly and also as they pivot about rod 73 are locators 86 whichare fabricated of rod stock. Each locator has a straight section 87whichis parallel to the centerline of table 62. The upper end of eachrod 87 as viewed in FIG. 1 is formed with an outwardly turned portion 88which is welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the inner edgeof extension 82 of bracket '78. The forward end of rod 87 is bent in anoutwardly turned forward front end 89 which is relatively short andwhich terminates in a rearwardly'outwardly slanted side 91, the rearwardend of which is also welded or'otherwise secured to bracket 78 adjacentits outer edge. As is best shown in FIG. 1, the rod sections 87 areparallel to each other at all times and the locators 86, as best shownin FIG. 3, lie in a common plane at all times, although said plane maypivot about the axis of rod 73.

Connected to the right-hand end of the right-hand bracket 78 is apointer 92 which indicates a plurality of the locators 86 are used togauge the thickness of the uncased book 41 to be assembled. Suchthickness is indicated by the pointer 92 relative to the indicia 93.Various sizes of cases 46 are used depending upon the size of theuncased book, the different sizes being differentiated bythe width ofthe flexible spine cover 57. Thus, with thinner uncased books 41narrower spine covers 57 are employed. The width of the spine cover 57determines the overall width of the case 46 when it is laid flat ontable 62 as is shown in FIG. 8. The side edge guide 68 is positioned byselection of the proper holes 64, 66 so that the case 46 is accuratelycentered relative to table 62, 'ormoreprecisely, is accurately centeredrelative to the gap between the rod sections 87.

Further, by way of location of the case 46, there are three short pins96 and one long pin 97 fixed to table 62 along the back edge thereof andpositioned so that they do not interfere with pivoting of the locators86 or the brackets 78. The function of the pins 96, 97 is to act as astop for the rearward movement of the case 46 as it is pushed back withthe top edge tangent to said pins. Preferably, the pin 97 is elongatedso as to assist in closing of the book as a next to final step in theassembly of the case to the cover, as hereinafter appears. It should beobserved that rod 84 is slightly forward relative to pin 96 when thelocators 86 are in down position. This is best shown in FIG. 9. Pin 96(or 97) limits rearward movement of case 46 (i.e., movement to the rightas viewed in FIG. 9) while rod 84 limits rearward movement of theuncased book 41. It is desirable that the top edge of the cover of thecompleted book be slightly higher than the top edge of the sheets 21 ofwhich the uncased book 41 is formed. The location of rod 84 and pins 96,97 insures this desirable relationship.

ASSEMBLY OF BOOK TO CASE sizes of case 46 to be used/The side edge guide68 is then installed in a pair of holes 64 or 66 corresponding to thesize of the case which has been indicated and which has been selectedand oriented for proper page width. As has heretofore been explained,the holes 64 are used with 8- /2 inch X l 1 inch sheets 21, while theholes 66 are used with the narrower sheets of textbook size paper. Thelocators 86 are then pivoted backward to the position shown in FIG. 8 orthey may be pivoted 180 or all the way back.

The properly selected case 46 is then placedon the table 62 as bestshown in FIG. 8 with its right-hand edge against the side guide 68 andwith its top edge against the ends 96, 97. In such position the case 46is accurately centered relative to the gap between the 10- cators 86.The release. paper is then stripped exposing the pressure sensitiveadhesive on the pads 48 which is located in the spine of the case.Thereupon, the locators 86 are pivoted forwardly until they lie on topof the case 46 (see FIG. 9).

Thereupon, the uncased book 41 is lifted by the operator and inserted inthe apparatus 61 taking care that its upper edge engages rod 84 and thatits spine slips between the parallel rods 87. As has been mentioned, theupper edge of the book 41 is then slightly below the upper edge of thecase 46, as best shown in FIG. 9. Downward pressure on the book 41causes permanent adherence of its spine edge to the pressure sensitiveadhesive 48 of the spine portion 57 of the case 46. The locators 86 arethen retracted to up position.

The covers 56 0f the book are then closed. To facilitate accurateclosing of the covers, the left cover 56 is folded over and its top edgealigned with the higher pin 97. This assures that the top and bottomcovers 56 are parallel. The hinge crease 58 is then manually formed inthe top cover by using an implement or the fingers to press the spineportion around the strip 26 and form the bead 59. Thereupon, theoperator grips the exposed tab 39 of the release paper 38 and pulls therelease paper 38-37 completely away. By pressing downwardly on the topcover 56, the pressure sensitive adhesive 36 on-the top end leaf causespermanent adherance of the endleaf to the inside of the cove'r56.

Thereupon, the book is turned upside down and the crease 58 and bead 59are formed on the back cover in the same manner as they were formed onthe front cover. Finally, the tab 39 is used to pull the rear releasepaper 38, 37 of the rear end'leaf away exposing the adhesive 36 whichcauses permanent adherence of the rear end leaf to the rear cover 56.

The formation of the book is thereby completed. It will be observed thatthe case 46 is permanently bonded to the uncased book 41 atthreeseparate locations. These are the adherence of the spine of the book tothe adhesive 48, which adhesive also overlaps the strips 26, 29. Theother two locations are on the front and back of the book respectivelyand are each substantially the same. The outside of each leaf 58 engagespressure sensitive adhesive 36, and the insides of the covers 56likewise engage said pressure sensitive adhesive.

. What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for assembling an uncased book to a case of the type havinga central flexible spine section having an exposed pressure-sensitiveinside surface, said apparatus comprising a table dimensioned to supportsaid case laid out substantially flat with said pressure-sensitiveinside surface uppermost with spaced holes positioned along one sideedge, an adjustably positioned side edge guide along one side edge ofsaid table, said side edge guide comprising a detachable bar which isT-shaped in cross section and having pins to fit into said holes, a rodalong the-back of said table transverse to said side edge guide, meansmounting said rod spaced above said table, first and second bracketspivotally mounted on said rod, means for fixing said brackets forpivotal movement together, first and second locators each formed of barstock in generally truncated triangle shape fixed to said first andsecond brackets and having parallel sides perpendicular to said rodoverlying said pressure-sensitive inside surface in one position andbeing remote from said inside surface in a second position whereby thespine edge of an uncased book may be slipped between said parallel sidesto be forced into contact with said pressure-sensitive inside surface, aguide extending between said brackets transverse to said parallel sides,said guide limiting rearward movement of said spine edge of said uncasedbook, a series of pins projecting up from said table a short distancerearward of said guide whereby when the rear edge of said case engagessaid case rear edge locating means said case extends a short distancerearward of the rear edge of said spine edge.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said rod is formed of twooppositely threaded sections and said brackets have threaded portions inengagement with said threaded sections and which further comprises aknob on said rod whereby said rod may be turned to move said bracketsand said parallel sides toward and away from each other to accommodateuncased books of different spine thicknesses, two elements including apointer and indicia, one said element on said table and the other saidelement movable with one of said brackets, said pointer and indiciaindicating the thickness of a spine engaged on opposite sides by saidparallel sides and also indicating the proper location of said side edgeguide.

3. A method of forming a cased book comprising providing an uncased bookhaving a'plurality of sheets, front and back end leaves on theoutsidevof said uncased book, each said end leaf havingpressuresensitive material on its outer surface extending to the top,bottom and outside margins of said end leaves, first release papercovering all of said pressure-sensitive material, binding means bindingsaid sheets and end leaves together along their spine margins with saidend leaves securely bound to said sheets prior to assembly of saiduncased book to a case; gauging the thickness of said uncased bookadjacent its spine edge, selecting a case of the type comprising frontand back covers, a flexible spine, covering means for the outsides ofboth said front and back covers of said spine, and a spine strip ofresilient material extending longitudinally down the middle of saidflexible spine covering having second edges of said covers extendingoutwardly beyond the pressure-sensitive material on its exposed surface,said case prior to adherence to said uncased book being adapted toencase a range of thicknesses of uncased on said table and a secondposition remote from said table, removably positionable side guidemeans, case top edge guide means, and uncased book top edge guide means;removing said second pressure-sensitive material, locating said uncasedbook with its top end a fixed short distance below the corresponding endof .20 books by reason of the flexibility of said spine; said seouteredges of said end leaves and beingdevoid of exposed adhesive beyond theouter edges of said end leaves, said step of gauging comprising restingthe spine edge of said uncased book on said table between said locatorswith said locators in first position, moving said locators toward eachother to engage opposite sides of the spine of said uncased book,observing the distance between said locators, removing said uncased bookand pivoting said locators to second position, positioning side edgeguide means on said table at a position dependent on thedistance'between said locators, said step of locating said case furthercomprising engaging the side edge of said case with said side edge guidemeans and the top edge of said casewith said case top edge guide means,and in which said step of pressing said uncased book comprises pivotingsaid locators to first position, engaging the top edge of said uncasedbook against said top edge guide means and the spine of said bookbetween said locators and pivoting said uncased book toward said spinestrip with said top edge guide as a fulcrum.

1. Apparatus for assembling an uncased book to a case of the type havinga central flexible spine section having an exposed pressure-sensitiveinside surface, said apparatus comprising a table dimensioned to supportsaid case Laid out substantially flat with said pressure-sensitiveinside surface uppermost with spaced holes positioned along one sideedge, an adjustably positioned side edge guide along one side edge ofsaid table, said side edge guide comprising a detachable bar which isTshaped in cross section and having pins to fit into said holes, a rodalong the back of said table transverse to said side edge guide, meansmounting said rod spaced above said table, first and second bracketspivotally mounted on said rod, means for fixing said brackets forpivotal movement together, first and second locators each formed of barstock in generally truncated triangle shape fixed to said first andsecond brackets and having parallel sides perpendicular to said rodoverlying said pressure-sensitive inside surface in one position andbeing remote from said inside surface in a second position whereby thespine edge of an uncased book may be slipped between said parallel sidesto be forced into contact with said pressure-sensitive inside surface, aguide extending between said brackets transverse to said parallel sides,said guide limiting rearward movement of said spine edge of said uncasedbook, a series of pins projecting up from said table a short distancerearward of said guide whereby when the rear edge of said case engagessaid case rear edge locating means said case extends a short distancerearward of the rear edge of said spine edge.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1 in which said rod is formed of two oppositely threaded sectionsand said brackets have threaded portions in engagement with saidthreaded sections and which further comprises a knob on said rod wherebysaid rod may be turned to move said brackets and said parallel sidestoward and away from each other to accommodate uncased books ofdifferent spine thicknesses, two elements including a pointer andindicia, one said element on said table and the other said elementmovable with one of said brackets, said pointer and indicia indicatingthe thickness of a spine engaged on opposite sides by said parallelsides and also indicating the proper location of said side edge guide.3. A method of forming a cased book comprising providing an uncased bookhaving a plurality of sheets, front and back end leaves on the outsideof said uncased book, each said end leaf having pressure-sensitivematerial on its outer surface extending to the top, bottom and outsidemargins of said end leaves, first release paper covering all of saidpressure-sensitive material, binding means binding said sheets and endleaves together along their spine margins with said end leaves securelybound to said sheets prior to assembly of said uncased book to a case;gauging the thickness of said uncased book adjacent its spine edge,selecting a case of the type comprising front and back covers, aflexible spine, covering means for the outsides of both said front andback covers of said spine, and a spine strip of resilient materialextending longitudinally down the middle of said flexible spine coveringhaving second pressure-sensitive material on its exposed surface, saidcase prior to adherence to said uncased book being adapted to encase arange of thicknesses of uncased books by reason of the flexibility ofsaid spine; said selected case having a spine strip of a width greaterthan the spine width of said uncased book, positioning said case on atable with said spine strip uppermost, said table having a pair oflocators pivotally mounted thereon for movement between a first positionresting on said table and a second position remote from said table,removably positionable side guide means, case top edge guide means, anduncased book top edge guide means; removing said secondpressure-sensitive material, locating said uncased book with its top enda fixed short distance below the corresponding end of said spine stripand centered laterally with respect to said spine strip, pressing saiduncased book so that its spine edge adheres to said secondpressure-sensitive adheSive, closing said case about said uncased book,removing said first release paper and applying pressure to said coversto cause adherence of said end leaves to the insides of said covers allthe way to the outer edges of said end leaves and with the insides ofthe outer edges of said covers extending outwardly beyond the outeredges of said end leaves and being devoid of exposed adhesive beyond theouter edges of said end leaves, said step of gauging comprising restingthe spine edge of said uncased book on said table between said locatorswith said locators in first position, moving said locators toward eachother to engage opposite sides of the spine of said uncased book,observing the distance between said locators, removing said uncased bookand pivoting said locators to second position, positioning side edgeguide means on said table at a position dependent on the distancebetween said locators, said step of locating said case furthercomprising engaging the side edge of said case with said side edge guidemeans and the top edge of said case with said case top edge guide means,and in which said step of pressing said uncased book comprises pivotingsaid locators to first position, engaging the top edge of said uncasedbook against said top edge guide means and the spine of said bookbetween said locators and pivoting said uncased book toward said spinestrip with said top edge guide as a fulcrum.